Whilst the image in the 1970s of the real ale drinker might have been of a man with a bit of froth on his large and messy beard, times have changed. A good pint of proper beer now gets the respect it deserves for the care that has gone into brewing, storing and serving it. What makes the Good Beer Guide different to others is the conscientious love that CAMRA members have put into the choosing of hostelries, as Somerset Life discovered.
1. The Crown – Pilton
A 17th century village pub that reopened in 2022 after a major refurbishment. Tastefully decorated bar area with dark wood panelling, a restaurant, games room and a large garden. Three different real ales sourced locally from within a 25 mile radius. Landlord Owain Powell said: 'We like to have rotating beers, we’re spoilt for choice in the area, an important part for me is having a really good selection.' Food, also sourced locally, is cooked from scratch – pub meals and a la carte. Events on Wednesdays: general knowledge quiz, folk night, musical quiz and comedy nights.
2. Crown Inn – Wells
Ideally located facing the Market Square and a short stroll to the Cathedral and Bishop’s Palace, it is believed to have been built about 1450. In 1695 the Quaker, William Penn, preached from the inn before going on to give his name to Pennsylvania USA. More recently it is famous for the filming of Hot Fuzz – walking tours of the film start outside. Three beers are on offer and Cellar Manager, Morgan Young, said that temperature, good equipment and clean lines are important but so is how the beer is poured – ‘you’ve got to care and be proud of what you’re doing.’
3. Queen Victoria Inn – Priddy
When I asked landlord, Mark Walton, of this Butcombe pub, if there had been any changes, he said: ‘It’s a country pub so you can’t change it.’ Fair enough. That said, during the COVID years there were colourful sheds outside and these have now been removed. Mark said he was glad to have his garden back. The Inn has been in the guide for 15 years. ‘To be in the good beer guide means that the beer is kept well, correct temperature and turned over quick enough to be nice and fresh.’ Events include charity fun runs, live music and fine dining evenings.
4. George Inn – Croscombe
Canadian Landlord, Peter Graham, is celebrating 25 years in residency this summer with a beer festival from July 10th-20th with music, events and 25 different beers. He described the hostelry as an archetypal village pub with a warm welcome and a wood fire. It won the Bath and Borders CAMRA Rural Pub of the Year 2024 and has been in the guide most times over the last quarter of a century. They have a house brew made specifically for them by Blindmans and Peter reckons that he has pulled 200,000 pints of that.
5. Sheppey Inn – Lower Godney
Bit of a tardis this one, looks small from the outside but lots of space inside. Apart from the excellent four locally sourced changing beers there are two special attractions. There is a wonderfully weird collection of strange artifacts from Dr Who to Snoopy and there is a great terrace that literally overlooks the river Sheppey, you may catch sight of a kingfisher or an otter – ‘its buzzing with wildlife’. Landlord Ned Costitan said: ‘We serve great food, great beer, but also the journey getting here is part of the appeal, definitely, I think people like to go on a bit of a mission, beautiful spot down lovely winding country lanes, it just feels as if you’re making more of a day out when you go to a pub that is a destination.’
6. George and Pilgrims – Glastonbury
Impressive, ornate and eerie from the exterior and much the same inside, the G&P has a reputation for being spooky, in particular by a lovesick monk. Grade I listed, three storey, building constructed in the 15th century to accommodate visitors to the Abbey. As you enter, on the left is the main bar with total character, medieval artefacts, plus four real ales and on your right is the delightfully named Jack Horner corner.
7. Crystal Palace – Bath
Bath is a bit of a hot spot when it comes to real ale as there are 14 pubs from the city listed in the guide. One of them is the Crystal Palace, a Fuller’s property serving London Pride and ESB. It has a fabulous location being only a stone’s throw from the Abbey and set in the gorgeous Abbey Green square watched over by that tree. In the summer, tables and chairs are put out the front and there is a respectable sized garden to the rear. If you are cold, there’s a sign suggesting that you warm up with a boozy hot chocolate. Lovely wood panelling inside and apparently Lord Nelson stayed there.
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8. Bath Brew House – Bath
A pub with its own micro-brewery producing two regular beers; the malty Gladiator and the hoppier, citrussy Emperor. The bar also has a four-tap craft beer font serving artisan beers from both the UK and around the world. Alongside there are two glistening 500 litre tanks of beer. Outside is a garden that is walled with vegetation and a painted jungle, it’s covered in the winter. Blokes, you have got to try the loos; urinals in the form of metal beer kegs. Upstairs is the Tank room hosting sport, quizzes, comedy etc.
9. Crossways Inn - West Huntspill
A 2024 county winner, in fact it has won Pub of the Year with Somerset CAMRA members ten times in the last 12 years, so you’re pretty safe in choosing one of the eight changing real ales that are on offer. When it comes to pub grub, my tester is always the ‘ham, egg and chips.’ This came with a good quantity of proper chunky ham, two eggs, crispy large chips and a salad. At lunchtime you can even get a smaller version. Winner again.
10. Star Inn – Watchet
Known for its congenial atmosphere and friendly staff, the Star has won the Somerset CAMRA Pub of the Year twice and been in the guide for 20 consecutive years. Within a frisbee fling to both the town centre and the harbour, yet it still has a good sized garden with its own boules court. Has a cosy snug. Hosts quiz, darts and boules teams and is home to the infamous ‘bad boys club’ (Sunday drinkers). Several beers available including one from the landlord’s own Nuttycombe Brewery.
CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide 2025 can be bought at camra.org.uk
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